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August 29, 2002

Purdue community remembers 9/11 with campus events

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A variety of events on and around the Purdue University campus will commemorate the first anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and give students, faculty, staff and the community a chance to remember the past and look to the future.

Events on Sept. 11 will culminate with a 7 p.m. candlelight procession from student housing units to Slayter Center for an observance program. The Slayter program, beginning at 7:20 p.m., will feature student speakers and the Purdue Musical Organizations, as well as Purdue President Martin C. Jischke, West Lafayette Mayor Sonya Margerum and Sally Downham Miller from University Church.

"A number of student leaders, led by Purdue Student Government, are devoting a great amount of effort to plan the various events at Purdue during the week of Sept. 11," said Tom Robinson, vice president for student services. "The observance will be reflective, but inspiring. We hope it will motivate the campus community to look forward together."

Scheduled events include:

• A Community Service Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 5. This event, sponsored by Boiler Volunteer Network, will showcase non-profit agencies, organizations and projects in Greater Lafayette. The rain location for this fair is the Purdue Memorial Union main lounges.

The Boiler Volunteer Network also is seeking volunteers for the Sept. 7 Community Action Day at the Gus Macker Basketball Tournament. Hospitality volunteers, scorekeepers and referees are just some of the workers needed to help raise funds for local community agencies, said Tara Brink, Purdue Student Union Board president. "It's important we focus our energies and thoughts toward helping others during this time," she said.

• The Purdue Student Union Board's Reflection and Remembrance program at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 10 in Fowler Hall. Students will present dance, song and readings during the program. Immediately following, performers and the audience will be able to express their thoughts, draw pictures or write poems on large display boards outside Fowler Hall. From 1-4 p.m. on Sept. 11, the campus community will have an opportunity to work on the display boards at the Memorial Mall.

• The ROTC remembrance ceremony from 8-8:15 a.m. on Sept. 11 in front of the Purdue Armory.

• All American flags on campus will be lowered to half-staff at sunrise.

• The Purdue Fire Department will join fire stations across the country in ringing their bells on Sept. 11 at the times (9:05 a.m. and 9:28 a.m. EST) when the two World Trade Center towers collapsed in New York City. Bells also will be rung in the Purdue Bell Tower and at area churches. Purdue Fire Chief Ken Alling will remember the firefighters of 9/11 at 9:08 at the Purdue Fire Station. At 9:11 members of the Glee Club will sing "Amazing Grace," and following the last bell ringing, "Taps" will be played.

• An interfaith service, sponsored by local religious leaders, will begin at noon on Sept. 11 at the St. Thomas Aquinas Center.

• The 9/11 Greater Lafayette Memorial Service will begin at 4:45 p.m. on Sept. 11 at Riehle Plaza in downtown Lafayette.

• Purdue on-campus residences will observe a moment of silence at 6:45 p.m. on Sept. 11. Fire trucks and police cars will direct people to Slayter Hill at 7 p.m., and students will walk with lit candles from their residences to the program. The Slayter Hill event is scheduled from 7:20-8:10 p.m. The program will begin with the Purdue "All American" Marching Band playing taps. A unity candle will be lit after individual candles are extinguished. Religious leaders will be available to speak to following the program. In case of inclement weather, the program will be held in the Elliott Hall of Music.

"We feel it is important to participate in national remembrance events, such as the fire stations across America ringing their bells at the times when the World Trade Center towers collapsed, but we also know it is important for the Purdue community to observe Sept. 11 as a family," said Greg Canfield, Purdue Student Government president. "By gathering everyone at Slayter Hill, just as we did last year after the Sept. 11 tragedy, we will allow individuals to lean on one another for support and look toward the future together."

In addition to the events leading up to the Sept. 11 program, Purdue Intercollegiate Athletics and University Bands have planned an observance prior to the start of the Sept. 14 football game in Ross-Ade Stadium.

Writer: Amy Patterson-Neubert, (765) 494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu

Source: Thomas B. Robinson, (765) 494-5776, trobinson@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu


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